Stem cells and their local microenvironment, or niche, communicate through mechanical cues to regulate cell fate and cell behaviour and to guide developmental processes. During embryonic development, mechanical forces are involved in patterning and organogenesis. The physical environment of pluripotent stem cells regulates their self-renewal and differentiation. Mechanical and physical cues are also important in adult tissues, where adult stem cells require physical interactions with the extracellular matrix to maintain their potency. In vitro, synthetic models of the stem cell niche can be used to precisely control and manipulate the biophysical and biochemical properties of the stem cell microenvironment and to examine how the mode and magnitude of mechanical cues, such as matrix stiffness or applied forces, direct stem cell differentiation and function. Fundamental insights into the mechanobiology of stem cells also inform the design of artificial niches to support stem cells for regenerative therapies.

中文翻译：

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机械力指导干细胞的发育和再生行为


干细胞及其局部微环境或生态位通过机械信号进行通信，以调节细胞命运和细胞行为并指导发育过程。在胚胎发育过程中，机械力参与模式形成和器官发生。多能干细胞的物理环境调节其自我更新和分化。机械和物理线索在成体组织中也很重要，其中成体干细胞需要与细胞外基质进行物理相互作用以维持其效力。在体外，干细胞生态位的合成模型可用于精确控制和操纵干细胞微环境的生物物理和生化特性，并检查机械信号（例如基质刚度或施加的力）的模式和大小如何指导干细胞细胞分化和功能。对干细胞力学生物学的基本见解也为人工生态位的设计提供了信息，以支持干细胞进行再生治疗。